All in For Him

Mark Twain said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why”. As someone who now understands their purpose in life, I want to guide you in reflecting on yours. What I believe is the answer to knowing our purpose is actually very simple, but let’s keep the suspense on the proposed answer a bit longer. Before we discover how to know our purpose in life, I want to offer a preview of our upcoming journey through the chapters ahead.

In chapters one and two, I’ll share a story that shaped so much about who I’ve become. It has deepened my faith in God and in trusting his plan for me (although it took me years to realize it). When I was nine, I was almost abducted. The outcome still stops me in my tracks. It humbles me and brings pain at the same time – you will soon understand why. In chapter three, we’ll reflect on the blessings in our lives as we explore gratitude. Chapter four focuses on fears and ways to overcome them. We’ll also consider ways to let go of our fears and hand them over to God.

Chapters five and six examine our ability to trust God’s plan for us whether the outcome goes as anticipated or not. Within these two chapters, I’ll share answered prayers from a time when I was in the line of fire and when strangers tried to break into my house. I’ll also share situations when my prayers were not answered as expected. One of these stories connects an experience of death to one of life; from that experience I later had a full-circle moment and understood God’s reason behind those unanswered prayers. As we go, you’ll have opportunities to reflect on times of disappointment and consider how God answered your past prayers. Perhaps you’ll even gain better insight into why your prayers were answered (or not answered) in a certain way.

Chapter seven should have us smiling as we reflect on what makes us happy. Just like life, these chapters flow through ups and downs. In chapter eight, we’ll dive into the tough topic of struggling with our own internal battles; this chapter offers an opportunity to release things bottled up inside while we learn to lean more on God and less on things of this world.

Chapter nine reviews how to claim victory over our internal battles, thanks to God! In these two chapters, I’ll share my own struggle with a severe eating disorder, and you’ll have opportunities to reflect on your struggles too. After shifting the focus to judgements in chapter ten, I’m hopeful we all walk away being less judgmental and more open minded to loving our neighbors as God wants us to do. We’ll have a chance to release previous judgements others have passed on us and repent on our own judgments of others. Since our judgements can stem from our perspectives, chapter eleven allows us to reflect on what shapes our perspectives.

To bring closure on our journey together, chapter twelve explores the topic of how everything happens for a reason. We’ll spend more time considering God’s plan and purpose for our lives while reflecting on ways to better understand and live out our own purpose. My hope is this chapter leaves you feeling motivated to live your life in a way that shows God you are all in for him and with him. As you read, perhaps you’re searching to understand your purpose in life. Maybe you feel you’ve lost passion for, or never found passion, to fulfill your purpose. Maybe you have more to offer the world but aren’t sure what that looks like. As we pray and reflect together, I hope you lean on God to find clarification for your purpose. I pray you can reflect on the journey of chasing your purpose.

There isn’t one way to follow along. I’m a college professor with a doctorate in educational leadership and curriculum instruction, therefore, God guided me in ensuring this book was not a one size fits all approach. This book offers a variety of ways to use it that best fits your current desires for what you’re seeking in this moment. Many chapters include journal reflections to connect the topics discussed to your own life. You’re invited to do what feels best for you: whether that is to complete the reflections as you go, wait, and come back to them later, or pick and choose which ones you want to do.

In some chapters, there are opportunities to write letters to people in your life or to God - it’s your choice to distribute them or not. Each chapter includes bible verses and prayers that I believe are connected to the topics discussed. Within the pages of this book, I invite you to write notes, bible verses, song lyrics, or anything else on your heart. I pray these words are something you regularly come back to for comfort and encouragement.

One last, but important thing to note is I’m still studying and learning the bible. As a Christian, I’m a work in progress. I am speaking to you from what I know and understand, but I’m not perfect. I’m nowhere near the caliber of well-known Christians of influence today like Billy Graham, Priscilla Schrier, Joel Osteen, Beth Moore, Joyce Meyer or Lysa TerKeurst. I consider them some of the members of God’s “dream team” who are spreading his word. Regardless, God doesn’t care what kind of platform we have, or don’t have. We all have a story to share with or without a platform. God wants all of us to spread his word and help one another as we go. As you read between the lines with me, I welcome you to laugh, cry, and maybe even hold your breath for a moment while waiting to find out what comes next.